 |
| File Photo of a Magistrate's Court in Cape Town |
POTCHEFSTROOM – Five suspects have been remanded in custody following their brief appearance before the Koster Periodical Court today on charges of house robbery. The accused, Lungelo Mavuso (25), Thabiso Ngwenya (27), Siboniso Magagula (30), Christopher Mothibe (48), and Punuka Van Rooyen (51), are scheduled to reappear in court on Thursday, 16 January 2025, for legal aid proceedings.
The arrests occurred on Wednesday morning, 08 January 2025, shortly after a house robbery at a farm near Koster. According to reports, two of the suspects, armed with a firearm and a panga, forced their way into the house, assaulted the farm owner, and demanded money. Although they did not obtain any cash, they stole a wedding ring, a wristwatch, and a Samsung cell phone.
Meanwhile, two farm employees managed to escape and call for help. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s Isuzu bakkie, valued at R40,000, but the vehicle became stuck in the mud about a kilometer from the house. They then transferred to a nearby getaway car, a Suzuki Ertiga.
The swift response from neighboring farmers and police led to the interception of the getaway vehicle. The suspects attempted to escape on foot but were eventually apprehended. The Suzuki Ertiga was impounded, and the suspects were taken into custody.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Mothibe and Van Rooyen are residents of Koster, while the other three suspects are from Piet Retief in Mpumalanga Province.
Major General Patrick Asaneng, the Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, praised the quick response and collaborative effort of all parties involved, emphasizing the importance of rural safety and the E2 project in combating crime.
Stay informed with HMR News Updates, where the truth matters most.
Website: www.hmrnewsupdates.com
Email: info@hmrnewsupdates.com
Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HMRNewsUpdates
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hmrnewsupdates
Twitter/X: www.twitter.com/hmrnewsupdates
TikTok: @hmrnewsupdates
Phone: +27 66 427 6676
